Skinny isn’t the new black: Raising awareness on eating disorders

As we head into National Eating Disorders Awareness week (Feb. 26th – Mar. 4th) let’s take a minute or two to be real about eating disorders.

Misconceptions and real problems

Too often we think of an eating disorder as a young female who needs to stay thin for a serious ballet career, as Natalie Portman darkly portrayed in the movie the “Black Swan” (2010). Though this is an intense and fitting look at what an eating disorder may manifest as, it does not equate to everyday living where eating disorders often go unnoticed. Eminently, twenty million females and ten million males suffer from an eating disorder according to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).

If millions of people struggle with an eating disorder, chances are you know or knew someone that had a complicated relationship with food. Perhaps that seems strange to you, as you call in that order of beloved pizza, indulge in some cheesecake, and go on Chinese food runs. Or maybe it sounds more familiar, more realistic, as you plug your calories into an excel spread sheet to see if you have an allowance for dinner tonight. Either way, it is important to equip yourself with a few things to look out for in the event that you suspect yourself, or someone you love, to be struggling.

The DSM-V (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) offers several criteria to help identify when weight loss isn’t just dieting, but rather a more serious disorder, one that can even lead to death if not recognized. Some of these criteria include, but are not limited to:

These habits can cause a barrage of symptoms both physically and psychologically. Beyond just a thinner appearance, eating disorders can cause cardiac problems, muscle loss, kidney damage, black outs, hair loss, diabetes, deterioration of a person’s bones, and, as stated earlier, possibly death (NEDA). If the body does not have enough energy from food to function it can also lead to brain fog, irritability, social withdrawal, and hallucinations.

It is possible to suffer from an eating disorder at any age in life as there is no average time of onset. However, according to the American Psychological association, college students may be at greater risk: “…college students tend to be more vulnerable than their older counterparts” (Choate, 2013). This may be due to some of the changes that take place during the transition to college. For many students, heading to college means being far away from home for the first time; there are new responsibilities as well as new relational interactions taking place. This can cause a great amount of pressure for a young adult who might see their diet as the one thing they can control during all of these changes.

Even with this information, there is still one question. What should you do if you notice a friend or family member who might be struggling? Just as many police departments and neighborhood watch groups tell you, if you see something say something. A full blown group intervention is not always the best way to approach a loved one, but gracefully pointing out that you love them and are concerned is a good place to start. There are counselors, there are treatment programs, there is hope, and no one should have to struggle alone.